John Fetterman Calls Out Elon Musk After Recent Support for Trump Ally

Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman and Elon Musk seem to have lost their budding friendship of just a few months ago, as the two quibbled over X (formerly Twitter).

Fetterman accused Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) of “rummaging through your personal s***.”

Why It Matters

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is a nongovernmental task force led by Musk, President Donald Trump’s billionaire ally. It is reportedly working to cut wasteful federal spending and has been granted access to “sensitive Treasury data,” including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems.

Musk has been working as a “special government employee,” the White House says, and he does not receive a paycheck for his work. Given his reported influence, Democratic lawmakers have accused Musk of mounting a “hostile takeover” of the government, a claim that Musk and the Trump administration deny.

What To Know

Fetterman posted Monday afternoon that he wants to “save billions of your money and make our government more efficient.” The post was accompanied by a screenshot of a Politico article with the headline “Possible DOGE access to private taxpayer data sparks outcry.”

“Rummaging through your personal shit is *not* that,” Fetterman said. “A party of chaos loses—always.”

Since Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, Musk has become an increasingly prominent figure in U.S. politics, attending rallies, speaking out on social media, and heading DOGE. Since Trump has taken office, Musk announced that USAID would shut down. He also said widespread fraud occurs in “federal entitlements” like Social Security.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent approved Musk’s access to the Treasury Department last week. It allows him and his team entry into the system responsible for trillions of dollars in government payments, including Social Security checks and tax refunds.

There have been a host of lawsuits filed against the Trump administration as a result of DOGE’s efforts.

Musk spoke to reporters in the Oval Office this week alongside Trump and said that “too much information is made classified,” suggesting that reducing the system would make bureaucracy more efficient.

Musk responded on Monday to the Senator, who he called “bruh,” that if he “wanted to rummage through random personal s***, I could have done that at PAYPAL. Hello???”

“Having tens of millions of people marked in Social Security as ‘ALIVE’ when they are definitely dead is a HUGE problem. Obviously,” Musk wrote. “Some of these people would have been alive before America existed as a country. Think about that for a second …”

Fetterman responded with a post directed to “Elon,” noting that the “DOGE mission resonated with PA” and that the Senator had come to the situation with “common sense and an open mind.”

“For many, it’s causing chaos and confusion—which IMO, doesn’t help DOGE,” Fetterman wrote. “PA voters want their personal info secured and taxes spent wisely. Safe to assume both are priorities?”

Musk, who seems to currently have the last retort, responded that he loves “the people. We just want to fix the waste and fraud that is bankrupting the country.”

Following Trump’s win, in December, Fetterman and Musk shared pleasantries when the two were on Capitol Hill.

The Pennsylvania Senator was asked if he can see himself working with people like Musk. Fetterman said at the time that he admires Musk, and that the Tesla CEO is not “an enemy.”

“Yes, he’s on a different team, but that doesn’t make me an enemy. I don’t think I’m automatically going to become a critic,” Fetterman said of Musk. “He has made our economy and our nation better, and our politics are different, and I may not agree with some of the things he might say, but that doesn’t make him an enemy.”

Musk posted later to X his admiration for Fetterman, saying that the Senator “puts country over party.”

Fetterman has been among the few Democrats voicing support for Trump’s Cabinet nominations. He has supported picks such as New York Representative Elise Stefanik for United Nations ambassador for her “strong and unapologetic pro-Israel position,” as well as the “strong choice” of Florida Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state. He also was the first Democrat to meet with now Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

The senator has been a vocal critic of the Democratic Party’s election strategy.

What People Are Saying

Elon Musk on X: “I am endlessly amused by the infinite indignities I suffer on the very platform that I own”

California Senator Adam Schiff on X: “Elon Musk is trying to access your personal bank and tax data.

“The world’s richest man should not and cannot be able to snoop around your personal finances.

“Period. End of story.”

Rich Thau, president of Engagious, who moderated the focus group in Arizona: “These swing voters are delighted by Musk’s Trump-endorsed government housecleaning. The prospects of a looming constitutional crisis is completely inconceivable to them.”

Comedian Joe Rogan on his podcast: “He has $400 billion. I’m telling you, he’s not going to steal your money. I’m telling you that’s not what he’s doing. He’s a super genius that’s been f***** with, and when you’ve been f***** with by these nitwits that hide behind one of these three letter agencies, then he helps Donald Trump get into office and goes, I want to find out what kind of corruption is really around. Well you f***** up”

Protester Laura Olson told Newsweek at the 50501 Movement protest in Boston: “Nobody elected Musk. He’s destroying our government.”

What Happens Next

Musk’s involvement is expected to continue generating backlash from Democrats, who have pushed back now with legislation.

Eight out of 11 people in a focus group by Engagious/Sago recently said they approve of Musk’s DOGE efforts.